XL Bowls with a Kick: Spicy Cheddar Chicken & Kimchi Fried Chicken

If you're a fan of bold flavors and hearty meals, XL bowls are your perfect match. These generously loaded bowls combine wholesome ingredients, global spices, and layers of texture to create a satisfying experience in every bite. Today, we’re spotlighting two fiery favorites: the Spicy Cheddar Chicken XL Bowl and the Korean Kimchi Fried Chicken XL Bowl.

Perfect for meal prepping or a flavorful dinner, these bowls bring together comfort and spice in all the right ways.

Spicy Cheddar Chicken XL Bowl

This bowl blends the creamy richness of cheddar and béchamel sauces with the heat of peri peri seasoning and the nourishment of legumes and veggies. The result? A satisfying and balanced meal that doesn’t compromise on flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup olive herb rice

• ¼ cup cucumber, diced

• ¼ cup tomato, chopped

• ¼ cup rajma (kidney beans), cooked

• ¼ cup corn kernels

• ¼ cup chickpeas, cooked

• ¼ cup bell peppers, julienned

• 100g peri peri chicken, grilled or pan-seared

• 2 tbsp cheddar cheese sauce

• 2 tbsp béchamel sauce

• ½ tsp peri peri seasoning

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Rice
Prepare olive herb rice by cooking long-grain rice with olive oil, mixed herbs (like thyme, oregano, and rosemary), salt, and a hint of garlic. Once fluffy, keep it warm and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables
Dice the cucumber and tomato, and julienne the bell peppers. Boil or steam the corn, chickpeas, and rajma until tender. Season lightly with salt and chill until ready to assemble.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Marinate chicken breast or thigh pieces with peri peri seasoning, olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of garlic powder for 15–20 minutes. Grill or pan-sear over medium-high heat until fully cooked and slightly charred. Let rest, then slice into strips.

Step 4: Heat the Sauces
In separate pans, warm the cheddar cheese sauce and béchamel sauce over low heat until smooth and pourable. Stir continuously to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Assemble the Bowl

• Place the olive herb rice at the base of your bowl.

• Arrange cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, rajma, corn, and chickpeas in neat sections around the edges.

• Place the sliced peri peri chicken in the center.

• Drizzle both sauces generously over the chicken.

• Finish with a sprinkle of peri peri seasoning.

Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Korean Kimchi Fried Chicken XL Bowl

This bowl brings the flavors of Korean street food into a well-rounded meal. Spicy, tangy kimchi fried rice forms the base, while bold sauces and pickled veggies add complexity and crunch. It's a must-try for anyone who enjoys layers of flavor with a bit of heat.

Ingredients

• 1 cup kimchi fried rice (prepared with day-old rice, chopped kimchi, garlic, and sesame oil)

• 100g Asian-style chicken (fried or grilled with soy, garlic, and ginger)

• ¼ cup onion and bell pepper, sautéed

• 1 tbsp bulgogi sauce

• 1 tsp Korean chili paste (gochujang)

• 1 tsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

• ¼ cup pickled vegetables (carrot, radish, or cucumber)

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Kimchi Fried Rice

• In a wok, heat 1 tbsp sesame oil and sauté 1 clove minced garlic.

• Add ¼ to ½ cup chopped kimchi and stir-fry until fragrant (2–3 minutes).

• Add 1 cup of day-old rice and stir-fry well to combine.

• Season with a little soy sauce and gochujang if more heat is desired. Keep warm.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Marinate chicken pieces with soy sauce, grated garlic, ginger, and a pinch of sugar. Fry or grill until golden brown and cooked through. Rest and slice.

Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables
In a pan with a dash of oil, sauté sliced onion and bell pepper until just tender but still crisp. Season lightly with soy sauce.

Step 4: Prepare the Pickled Veggies
Use store-bought or homemade pickled carrots, radish, or cucumber for crunch and acidity. If making at home, quick-pickle by soaking sliced veggies in vinegar, water, salt, and sugar for at least 30 minutes.

Step 5: Assemble the Bowl

• Add the hot kimchi fried rice as the base.

• Place sliced chicken on top.

• Arrange sautéed onions and bell peppers on the side.

• Drizzle with bulgogi sauce, a small amount of gochujang, and soy sauce.

• Top with pickled vegetables and toasted sesame seeds.

Serve hot for a flavorful, Korean-inspired comfort bowl.

Nutrition Comparison

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional values per serving for both XL bowls:

Final Thoughts

These XL bowls are more than just meals—they’re flavor-packed experiences that bring variety and satisfaction to your table. Whether you’re drawn to the cheesy comfort of the Spicy Cheddar Chicken or the umami-rich heat of the Kimchi Fried Chicken, both recipes offer a generous, exciting way to refuel.